This sweet and healthy Strawberry Banana Spinach Smoothie recipe uses only 5 wholesome, natural ingredients and turns out refreshing and delicious. It's a great way to hide vegetables in a meal or snack! You'll love making and drinking this because it's nearly effortless in it's preparation, is packed with nutrients, tastes great and is perfect for picky eaters.
We enjoy a smoothie a day, and why not when they are made with healthy, nutrient-dense and filling ingredients that actually taste great?! Using frozen fruit ensures that preparation is quick and easy. Just dump all of the ingredients into a high-power blender and a minute later you have a delicious, nutritious meal ready to be enjoyed.
From a banana peach smoothie to a mango pineapple smoothie or a banana pineapple smoothie, you can never go wrong with sweet blended fruits in a glass! Healthy smoothie recipes make wonderful afterschool or poolside snacks and even lunches on the go. While this mango strawberry banana smoothie has always been one of our favorites, this new strawberry banana spinach smoothie is what I've been making recently, since it's perfect for hiding vegetables when my kids are being extra picky.
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How To Use Spinach In Smoothies
Including spinach in your diet can be a great way to boost your overall health and well-being. But we all know that some people aren't too keen on eating their vegetables or simply don't like the taste. With kids, getting them to eat their vegetables on a good day can be a hard fought battle. But not if you're using spinach to make a strawberry banana spinach smoothie!
Spinach is one of the most popular vegetables to use in smoothies because it has a subtle taste that becomes nearly undetectable when blended with sweet fruits like strawberries, mangos, raspberries, and more. This is GREAT news for those of us with really picky kids who refuse to eat their vegetables plain. When I mix a handful of spinach into my kids' sweet fruity smoothies, they have absolutely no idea! And I no longer need to worry that they aren't getting their daily dose of vitamins and minerals.
What's great about spinach in smoothies is that you can add as much or as little as you want without changing much of the consistency or texture of the drink. Because spinach is nearly 93% water, it blends up well and really shrinks down.
I suggest starting with a small amount like I do in this recipe, and working your way up to larger amounts once you're used to it. For this strawberry banana spinach smoothie recipe I use ¾ cup of unpacked spinach leaves. Make sure you don't pack those spinach leaves into your measuring cup! This was just enough to make me feel good about getting my kids their vegetables, but knowing they wouldn't be able to taste it.
Ingredients
- Coconut water
- Plain yogurt: I use Greek but traditional works just as well. Make it homemade too!
- Frozen strawberries
- Bananas
- Fresh spinach
Can I Use Fresh Strawberries?
Sure! But frozen strawberries add a little thickness to the smoothie, so make sure to add a bit more fresh strawberries so it won't turn out too thin.
Can I Use Frozen Spinach
Yes, however it will be harder to measure. I would suggest starting out with just a few tablespoons of frozen spinach and increasing the amount if needed.
Instructions
- Add coconut water, plain yogurt, frozen strawberries, bananas and fresh spinach to a high speed blender. If the blender has a smoothie setting, select it and blend until smooth. For blenders without a smoothie setting, blend on high speed for 90 seconds or until smooth.
- Serve immediately.
Variations
Dairy-free: easily make it dairy free by using almond milk yogurt, coconut milk yogurt or another dairy-free yogurt.
Vegan: all you need to do is replace the plain yogurt with a plant-based yogurt, same as if making it dairy-free.
Optional Add Ins
- Protein powder: I don't normally recommend protein powders, but if you're looking for an extra dose of protein, feel free to add a scoop or two of your favorite protein. I advise against doing this for young children, though, unless you're advised otherwise.
- Chia seeds: this nutritional superfood not only is packed with fiber, but it acts as a thickener in liquids. So if you love a thick and wholesome smoothie that keeps your belly full, add a tablespoon or two of chia seeds.
- Peanut or almond butter: a spoonful of creamy almond butter or peanut butter will give it a nutty taste. Use in place of the yogurt.
- Kale: mix it up with a combination of kale and spinach or just kale instead.
- Avocado: avocado helps create a creamy smoothie. Use in place of the banana or in combination with it.
- Milk: any type of dairy or non-dairy milk can be used in place of the coconut water or in combination with it. Plant-based milks like almond milk, coconut milk or soy milk work well.
- Orange juice
- Mint: a few fresh mint leaves will give it an extra refreshing flavor.
Kristina's Tips
*If adding any liquid or solid ingredients, make sure to keep the liquid to solid ratio the same. For example, if adding in orange juice either completely substitute it for the coconut water or decrease the coconut water by the amount of orange juice added. If you'd like to add avocado, decrease the amount of banana used...and so on.
Can I Store A Smoothie For Later?
Smoothies are best served immediately. If you'd like to save it for about a day, you can by storing it in the fridge and then shaking real good before serving (as the ingredients might separate while it's stored).
Enjoy!
Recipe
Strawberry Banana Spinach Smoothie
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups coconut water
- ⅓ cup plain yogurt
- 2 cups frozen strawberries
- 2 medium bananas
- ¾ cup fresh spinach
Instructions
- Add 1 ½ cups coconut water, ⅓ cup plain yogurt, 2 cups frozen strawberries, 2 medium bananas and ¾ cup fresh spinach to a blender. If the blender has a smoothie setting, select it and blend until smooth. For blenders without a smoothie setting, blend on high speed for 90 seconds or until smooth.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
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